Come summer, England seems to blossom. Gardens are suddenly full of flowers, England’s famous grey skies clear up, and picnics suddenly become trendy.

UK also experiences an influx of tourists from around the globe during it’s short summer season. London is the centre of all the action. Most tourists make a bee line for London’s premier attractions including The Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Hyde Park. Those with an interest in offbeat attractions try to experience London’s food tours, get acquainted with its street art, or sample all the afternoon teas in town. It’s true – there’s no dearth of things to do in London. However London’s hustle bustle can get exhausting. What is one to do?

For the footsteps of literary greats, including Charles Dickens, Samuel Johnson, and William Shakespeare, and head to the country of course. There is a plethora of day trips available around London – we would suggest skipping cliched attractions like Stonehenge (pictured above) in favour of quieter villages, scenic drives, and picturesque panoramas. An area that offers a bit of everything is Surrey.

Surrey, in the South East of England, has a number of areas that boast of outstanding natural beauty. The area is just a short drive away from London but it seems like a world away. Surrey’s countryside is stunning, to say the least.

If you’ve explored London to your heart’s content, head to surrey

Stay in a cottage or a rustic B&B and enjoy everything that the English countryside has to offer – Surrey is one of the wealthiest areas in England and its markets are full of the finest produce the country has to offer. Stop by to pick freshly-picked fruits and vegetables, treat yourself to English cream tea (Scones, clotted cream, and jam), or just drink in the vibrant scenery.

If you’re travelling with children, you could also stop by at a working farm and help farmers feed lambs, pick berries, apples, and pears off trees, or go for long walks in the countryside.

Surrey’s fresh-food markets are attractive for visitors

However if you’re in the mood to socialise, Surrey doesn’t disappoint on that front either. Don’t let the quiet demeanour of the area fool you – Surrey has a lot up its sleeve. There are golf courses, nightclubs, and football training academies. Most importantly perhaps, Surrey is home to the Epsom Derby – a two day horse-racing festival held in June every year. The festival dates back to 1780 and has a history of illustrious attendees. It’s an amazing affair that will leave you with memories that will last a life time.

If this piques your curiosity, you can read more about the Epsom Darby, Britain’s richest horse race, here:

If you decide to attend it this year, make sure you dress for the occasion. For women, fascinators and formal dresses are all the rage in the stands. Men, on the other hand, stick to jackets, coats, and ties. Do read up about the dress code before you plan your trip to Surrey.

There is so much more to England than London

Whether you go fruit picking, hiking, or attend a festival Surrey is sure to surprise you. Don’t blame us for wanting to linger on in the English countryside instead of going back to London and urbanity.